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Friends or relatives wanting to spectate along the course will want to visit our special Party Zones at miles 7, 13 and 20 on the marathon course and mile 7 on the half marathon course. Each location will feature music, refreshments, giveaways, and an on-air personality. These Party Zones will serve as a hub for spectators to show their support and enthusiasm.

Party Zones Recommended Directions

For friends and family of marathon competitors we have put together a spectator tour of the course. The tour includes the start and finish of the marathon as well as three different spots on the marathon course. Because of road closings, the preferred routes are sometimes different than you would normally travel.

Start (5th Street and Grace Street)

It is recommended that you park north of Broad Street for the start of the race. There is a large surface parking lot just off 9th street north of Marshall. This is a good lot for spectators. After watching the start of the race you will want to go to the first party spot at River Road Shopping Center

Starbucks River Road Shopping Center (Mile 7)

Take 7th street north to Interstate 95 North. Once on I-95 North take 64 West. Get off at the Glenside Drive Exit (heading south). Make a right turn on Forest Avenue. Follow Forest for several miles and it will cross Patterson Avenue. Continue on Forest and it will eventually turn into Ridge. Stay straight on Ridge until River Road. Go left on River Road for ½ mile. River Road Shopping Center is on your right. Park in the shopping center lot and the party spot will be across Huguenot Road in front of Starbucks. Do not park on the Starbucks side of the road. You will get trapped by the runners.

CVS on Forest Hill Avenue (Mile 12.9)

From River Road Shopping Center turn left on River Road going west. Continue until Parham Road (Route 150). You will make a right turn off of River Road to get on the exit ramp and at the light at the end of the ramp make a left and go south and east on Parham Road (Route 150). Parham Road turns into Chippenham Parkway once you cross the James River. Take Chippenham Parkway east until Jahnke Road. Make a right turn onto Jahnke Road and go back under Chippenham Parkway. Make a right turn onto Forest Hill Avenue. Park in the parking lot on the right hand side of the road and cross the street by foot to the party in the CVS lot.

The Diamond on the Boulevard (Mile 20)

Turn right out of the parking lot back onto Forest Hill Avenue. Make the first right onto Westover Hills Blvd. Stay right onto W. 49th Street. Make the first right onto Clarence Street. Turn left onto Jahnke Road and proceed to Chippenham Parkway. Get on Chippenham Parkway heading north. Take the first exit onto the Powhite Parkway heading north. Have 70 cents ready for the toll booth. Stay on Powhite Parkway across the river. Stay in the left lane and continue on I-195 North. In two miles you will see an exit onto Interstate 95 south. Take Interstate 95 South and at the first exit after ¼ mile get off on the Boulevard. At the bottom of the exit ramp take a right hand turn. The party zone is on your left in front of The Diamond baseball stadium. Park on the right hand side of the road. (Do not drive across the runners’ path or you will get trapped by the runners).

Post Race Party (Mile 26.2)

Take the Boulevard heading south and turn right (west) onto Broad Street. Go 7/10 mile and turn left onto Hamilton Street. Stay left and merge onto I-195 South. After 1 mile stay right onto the Downtown Expressway (70 cent toll). Get off of the Downtown Expressway at the 7th and 9th Street exit. Stay right on the exit ramp and this puts you onto Byrd Street. Park on the street or in parking lots in this area. The finish line is at 5th and Tredegar.

Markel Richmond Half Marathon Party Zone Recommended Directions

For friends and family of Markel Richmond Half Marathon competitors we have put together a spectator tour of the course. The tour includes the start and finish of the half marathon as well as a party zone on the course. Because of road closings, the preferred routes are sometimes different than you would normally travel.

Start (Broad Street and 7th Street)

It is recommended that you park north of Broad Street for the start of the race. There is a large surface parking lot just off 9th street north of Marshall. This is a good lot for spectators. After watching the start of the race you will want to go to the party zone at Bryan Park.

Bryan Park Party Zone (Mile 7)

Take 7th street north to Interstate 95 North. Once on I-95 North take the Hermitage Road exit (Exit 80). At the end of the exit ramp stay to the right onto Westbrook Avenue. Make a right turn at the light onto Hermitage Road. Go past the entrance to Bryan Park and make a left turn at the bottom of the hill on Bryan Park Avenue. Park on Bryan Park Avenue or in the surrounding neighborhood. Walk across the second bridge over the lake to the Bryan Park Party Zone.

Post Race Party (Mile 13.1)

Take Bryan Park Drive back to Hermitage Road and make a right. Get onto Interstate 95 heading south. After 5 miles exit onto the Downtown Expressway which is exit 74A. Stay in the right lane and get off at the first exit onto Canal Street. You will need to pay a $.30 toll. The exit ramp puts you on Canal Street at 10th Street. You are six blocks from the finish line. Park on the street or in parking lots/decks in this area. The finish line is at 5th and Tredegar.